Having heard most of these in my own system, the lower priced units perform as that, they are not giant killers if that is what you are looking for. My friend has the CEC TL5 that he is selling that was converted from a Japan model to now able to use in the US. I think he has it listed on US Audio Mart. Anyway I heard that compared to the CEC TL-3N, an older high end Metronome CDP/transport, and Jays Audio. Alos compared these lower priced units Rega (I do like the Saturn as a transport for the money), CXC, Sim Audio (don't remember the model #), NuForce transport, Nano transport, etc. There is nothing bad about any of these used as a transport. Even the Electrocompaniet is a very good option. TO me the CEC TL5 was the best especially for the price and conversion. Followed by the older Metronome with separate matching power supply (may be a CA-1 model?), then the TL-3N, then the Electro 1 Up, then the Nano with a better power supply. The Jays Audio is a nice player but when we compared that to the Metronome, it lacked the depth of sound stage and it was not anywhere near as musical. This may be a preference thing but that was the groups decision.
Happy Listening.
Happy Listening.